One-Step Synthesis of Green, Flexible, and Stretchable Superabsorbent Polymer Sheets with High-Performance Antibacterial Properties: A Scalable and Sustainable Solution Polymerization Approach

IF 5 3区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Journal of Polymers and the Environment Pub Date : 2025-09-05 DOI:10.1007/s10924-025-03670-w

Alireza Sabzevari, Mobina Dashti, Kourosh Kabiri

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Abstract

This study presents a novel one-step synthesis method for producing green, flexible, and stretchable superabsorbent polymer sheets with high-performance antibacterial properties, utilizing an energy-efficient and sustainable solution polymerization approach. Acrylic acid was partially neutralized and crosslinked with polyethylene glycol diacrylate, while ethylene glycol was a reactive solvent. Quaternary ammonium compounds (CTAB and TBAB) were incorporated as antibacterial agents, with UV initiation enabling rapid polymerization at room temperature. The resulting SAPs exhibited exceptional swelling capacities (up to 79.8 g/g in water) and mechanical properties, including elongation at break up to 294.2%, attributed to the plasticizing effects of CTAB and TBAB. Antibacterial assays demonstrated > 99.9% bacterial reduction within 1–3 h for CTAB-containing SAPs. The elimination of energy-intensive drying and surface crosslinking steps highlights the scalability and sustainability of this method. Biocompatibility tests confirmed cell viability > 84%, meeting ISO 10993–5 standards. This technology offers a promising pathway for advanced applications in hygiene products and regenerative medicine.

Graphical abstract

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一步合成具有高性能抗菌性能的绿色、柔性和可拉伸高吸水性聚合物片材：一种可扩展和可持续的溶液聚合方法

本研究提出了一种新的一步合成方法，利用节能和可持续的溶液聚合方法，生产具有高性能抗菌性能的绿色，柔性和可拉伸的高吸水性聚合物片材。丙烯酸部分中和并与聚乙二醇二丙烯酸酯交联，乙二醇为反应溶剂。加入季铵盐化合物（CTAB和TBAB）作为抗菌剂，在室温下紫外引发快速聚合。由于CTAB和TBAB的塑化作用，得到的sap具有优异的膨胀能力（在水中高达79.8 g/g）和力学性能，包括断裂伸长率高达294.2%。抗菌试验表明，含ctab的sap在1-3小时内细菌减少99.9%。消除了能源密集型干燥和表面交联步骤，突出了这种方法的可扩展性和可持续性。生物相容性测试证实细胞存活率为84%，符合ISO 10993-5标准。这项技术为卫生产品和再生医学的先进应用提供了一条有前途的途径。图形抽象

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来源期刊

Journal of Polymers and the Environment 工程技术-高分子科学

CiteScore

9.50

自引率

7.50%

发文量

297

审稿时长

9 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of Polymers and the Environment fills the need for an international forum in this diverse and rapidly expanding field. The journal serves a crucial role for the publication of information from a wide range of disciplines and is a central outlet for the publication of high-quality peer-reviewed original papers, review articles and short communications. The journal is intentionally interdisciplinary in regard to contributions and covers the following subjects - polymers, environmentally degradable polymers, and degradation pathways: biological, photochemical, oxidative and hydrolytic; new environmental materials: derived by chemical and biosynthetic routes; environmental blends and composites; developments in processing and reactive processing of environmental polymers; characterization of environmental materials: mechanical, physical, thermal, rheological, morphological, and others; recyclable polymers and plastics recycling environmental testing: in-laboratory simulations, outdoor exposures, and standardization of methodologies; environmental fate: end products and intermediates of biodegradation; microbiology and enzymology of polymer biodegradation; solid-waste management and public legislation specific to environmental polymers; and other related topics.